Lasting and sole laying machine



J. W. BARNA LASTING AND S OLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 m7 DR Jan. 17, 1939. j w BARNA 2,144,582

LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. '7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 17, 1939.

J. w. BARNA LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. '7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Em 8N @Q Jan. 17, 1939. J. w. BARNA 2,144,582

LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. '7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 ME 2U Jan. 17, 1939.

J. W. BARNA LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet '5 J05 ga/zffifiama Jan. 17, 1939. J w BARNA LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. '7, 1938 Josep/MEa 274 Jan. 17, 1939. J. w. BARNA 2,144,582

LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan, 7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 a 9* 22 9, lfl I gum Jan. 17, 1939. J. w. BARNA LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1958 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Josey/777341774.

Jan. 17, 1939. J. w. BARNA 2,144,582

LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 TH i II i 50' g 2 7 68 I 25 Jan/17,1939. J. w. BARNA 2,144,582

LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 1o Jan. 17, 1939. BARNA 2,144,582

LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1958 12 Sheets-Sheet ll Jan. 17, 1939. J. w BARNA I I 2,144,582

LASTiNG AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. '7, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Jase afi #1347776.

Patented Jan. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES LASTING AND SOLE LAYING MACHINE Joseph W. Barna, Chicago, 111., assignor of fortynine percent to G. A. Laystrom, Chicago, 111.

Application January 7,

30 Claims.

This invention relates to means for the lasting of shoe uppers and the arranging and conditioning of the welt portions for receiving soles. The machine herein described is an improvement over the machine disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 39,393, filed September 6, 1935.

An important object of the invention is to provide improved structure and arrangement of the wiper assembly for more accurately and efliciently stretching the upper around the last in a single operation.

Another object is to provide improved adjustable supports for the wiper elements and improved means for' relative adjustment of the wiper elements and the securing thereof in adjusted position without strain and so as to permit free relative operative functioning of the wiper elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ironing attachment for the machine adjustable and operable for the reciprocation of an ironing head for accurately and quickly flattening and smoothing out the welt portion of the upper'for accurate reception of the solestructure.

A further object is to provide a holding attachment for the machine for assisting the wiper assembly in accurately stretching the welt construction of the upper around the last and to hold the welt down while the edge of the upper is tacked to the last preparatory to the sewing of the insole and the welt together.

The invention also embodies numerous other features of construction, arrangement and operation, all of the various features being embodied in the structures disclosed on the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

t Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 is a plan view; Figure 3 is asection on the plane III-411 of Figure 2;

Figure 4, is a section on the plane IV-IV'of Figure 1;

v Figure 5 is a section on the plane V-V of Fig- Figure 6 is an enlarged section on the plane VI-VI of Figure 2;

Figure? is a section on the plane VII-VII of Figurefi; 50 Figure 8 is a front elevation of the ironer suppo ts;

Figure 9 is asection on the'plane IXIX of XXXVI of Figure 34; and

Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the ironer ad 3 Justing mechanism;

1988, Serial No. 183,778

Figure 11 is an under side view of the ironer head;

Figure 12 is a section on the line XII-XE of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a view on the line XlII-Xl110f 5 Figure 4;

Figure 14 is a section on the line XWXIV of Figure 4;

Figure 15 is an enlarged top view of the right front wiper supporting pedestal structure;

Figure 16 is an enlarged section on the plane XVI-XVI of Figure 2;

Figure 17 is a section on the plane XVII-XVII of Figure 2;

Figure 18 is a plan view of the wiper assembly;

Figure 19 is a bottom view of the wiper as-' sembly;

Figure 20 is an enlarged section on the plane 7 XX-XX of Figure 18;

Figure 21 is an enlarged section on the plane F XXI-XXI of Figure 18;

Figure 22 is an enlarged section on the plane XXII-XXII of Figure 18;

Figure 23 is a side elevation of the wiper assembly and ironer supports showing the ironing operation; Y

Figure 24 is a transverse section of the side wipers with their supports, showing the application of a sole after the ironing operation;

Figure 25 is a view similar to Figure 24 showing the application of the stretcher to the sole;

Figure 26 is abottom view of a completed shoe;

Figure 27 is a cross-section of a pre-welted pp Figure 28 is a cross-section of the pre-welted upper with inner and outer soles secured thereto;

Figure 29 is a longitudinal section through a fully soled upper;

Figure 30 is a side elevation of a pre-welt expander tool and its application to a welted upper;

Figure 31 is a plan view of the expander;

Figure 32 is an enlarged cross-section of the expander on the plane XXIflL-XXXII of Figure 30;

Figure 33 is a longitudinal section of a presser arm and its supporting pedestal;

Figure 34 is a plan view of an attachment to holding the welt down along the sides of the pp Figure 35 is an inner end view of the attach- 5 ment;

Figure 36 is a section on the plane xxxvI- XXXVlI-XXXVII of Figure 1.

34 and at their sides.

The supporting frame structure for the machine comprises a pair of opposite spaced parallel angle bars 5 whose upper legs 5 extend horizontally outwardly and whose lower legs 1 extend inwardly and are supported by a base plate 8 rigidly secured thereto as by screws 9. The base plate has a front upstanding block or flange l0 and a rear pair of spaced lugs (Figure 4) which support the guide rods I2 on which the wiper mechanism is carried.

Mounted to slide on the shafts l2 are the front and rear supporting blocks l3 and it which may also bear on the base plate 6 (Figures 4 and 5). A shaft I5 is journaled in the front wall I 0 of the base and held against axial movement by the collars Hi, the shaft at its outer end having the hand wheel l1. The blocks l3 and 4 have threaded passageways therethrough for receiving the right-hand threading l8 and left-hand threading |9 respectively along the inner portion of the shaft l5, so that when the hand wheel I1 is turned, the blocks will be shifted toward or away from each other (Figures 2, 3 and 4) The block |3 carries the pedestals 20 and 2| for supporting the left and right toe wipers, while the block l4 carries the pedestals 22 and 23 for the left and right heel wipers, these pedestal structures being mounted by their bases 24 on the respective supporting blocks to be shiftable longitudinally thereon, as best shown in Figure 5. As best shown in Figures 3 and 16, each of the pedestals 29 to 23 has a supporting pin 25 threaded axially therein so that it may be raised and lowered, a. lock nut 26 being provided for each pin. At its upper end each pin has a spherical head 21. The pins 25 in the pedestals 20 and 2| support the left and right toe wiper plates 28 and 29 at the sides thereof, while the pins 25 in the pedestals 22 and 23 support the left and right heel wiper plates 30 and 3| at the sides thereof (Figures 18 and 19).

The left and right toe wiper plates 28 and 29 have the openings 32 and 33 at their sides, and the heel wiper plates 30 and 3| have the openings The bottoms of the plates surrounding theseopenings are concave, as indicated at 36 (Figure 16) to fit the cylindrical bearing head 21 of the respective pins 25. Extending through these wiper openings are screws 31 whose heads are within recesses 38 in the tops of the wiper plates, the bottoms of the recesses being convex to receive the concave bottoms of the screw heads, as indicated at 39 (Figure 16). The radii of curvature of the various convex and concave engaging surfaces are centered at the center of the spherical head 21. The wiper plates may thus be readily adjustable and locked in adjustment by the screws 31.

On each of the wiper supporting pedestals 20 to 23 is'an arm Ill from which the wiper plates are supported at their outer ends. As best shown in Figures 3 and 15, each arm at its outer end has a-rectangular opening 4| therethrough for receiving a block 42 on the upper side of which is a plate 43 adapted to be secured rigidly to the block by a screw 44. Adjusting screws 45 extend through the arm 40 for abutting the block to ad- Just it transversely in the hole 4|, and the end set screw 46 tends to force the block against the back wall of 'the hole 4| to hold it rigidly after setting of the block by the screws 45. By loosening the screw 44, the plate 43 may also be rotated for adjustment and then secured by retightening .0; the screw.

*At its outer end, each plate 43 has a wiper supporting pin 25 threaded therein like the wiper supporting pins in the pedestals 29 to 23, the pin also terminating in the spherical head 21 and locked in adjusted position by the lock nut 26. The arms 49 on the toe wiper supporting pedestals 20 and 2| extend diagonally with their supporting pins below the end holes 41 in the toe wiper plates, while the arms 40 on the pedestals 22 and 23 extend diagonally for registration of their supporting pins 25 with the end openings 48 inv the heel wipers (Figures 18 and 19). These end openings in the wipers, like the side openings, are concave in their inner and outer ends for the reception of the spherical heads of the supporting pins and the fastening screws 31. The adjustability' of the pin supporting plates 43 and their supporting arms 40 permits of accurate alignment of the pins with the end openings of the wiper plates and accurate adjustment of the wiper plates relative to each other.

Referring to Figure 2 and Figures 18 to 22, the left toe wiper plate has on its upper side a guide channel 49 for receiving the laterally extending guide tongue 50 on the right toe wiper plate 29, the tongue being retained in the channel by an overhanging plate 5|. The left heel wiper plate 30 has a guide channel 52 for receiving the tongue 53 on the right heel wiper plate 3|, the tongue being retained in the groove by an overhanging plate 54. The tongue and groove connections serve to guide the left and right wipers in their lateral movement towards and away from each other with their supporting pedestals, the left toe and heel wiper plates moving with the pedestals 20 and 22 respectively and the right toe and heel wiper plates moving with the pedestals 2| and 23 respectively as these pedestals are shifted on their supporting blocks l4 in a manner to be described later.

The side wiper plates 55 and 56 extend between the heel and toe wiper plates. The side wiper plates engage against the under sides of the inner ends of the toe and heel wiper plates. Each of the side wiper plates has on its upper side a channel 51 extending rearwardly from its front end and a channel 58 extending forwardly from its rear end, the channels receiving respectively the tongues 59 and 60 on the toe and heel wiper plates. Outwardly of the channels 51 and 58 the side plates have longitudinally. extending projections 6| and 62 for engaging in the slots 63 and 64 in the toe and heel wipers respectively. The slots and tongues are inclined slightly laterally outwardly so that when the end wipers are adjusted farther away from each other, the side wipers will be cammed farther away from each other so that the last openings defined by the wiper plates-will assume the sizes corresponding to the sizes of the lasts to be accommodated.

It will be noted that'the channels 51 and 58 gradually increase in width inwardly, this being for the purpose of preventing binding when the wiper assembly is contracted or expanded during setting for the desired last size. The wiper plates and the various tongues arebeveled along their inner sides so that the wipers will present substantially sharp edges E (Figure 21 for engaging with the shoe uppers below the marginal portions thereof so as to draw the leather around the rounded corners of the last block. To hold the tongues and channels of the end wipers and side wipers in proper engagement, thin cover plates 65 are secured to the side wipers as by screws 66, the inner edges E of the thin cover plates being beveled down, as best shown in Figure 21, and terminating a distance outwardly of the edges E of the toe and heel wiper plates, the cover plates therefore having no edge engagement with the uppers during the wiping operation.

Each of the side wipers has a lug 01 on its under side provided with a hole 68. Referring to Figures 2 to 4, inclusive, and 24, the holes 68 in the side wipers loosely receive pins 69 extending upwardly from the inner ends of sup-.

porting rods 10 which are slidable crosswise of the machine in heads H at the upper ends of vertical bars 12 adapted to be secured at their lower ends, as by screws 13, to the legs 14 of a U-frame 15 secured to the inner end of a slider plate 16 which extends rearwardly on the base plate 8 and is guided in the guideway 11 in the base plate. Referring to Figures 3, 6 and 7, a housing 18 spans the rear end of the slider plate 16 and has lugs 19 extending through recesses 80 in the sides of the slider plate so that the slider plate may move with the housing, the housing having side tongues 8I engaged by keeper bars 82 secured to the base plate 8. Extending longitudinally and journaled in the end of the housing 18 is a shaft 83 having the eccentric portion 84 and being turnable by a lever 85.

The lever 85 serves as a handle for shifting ,the slider plate 16 and the side wipers thereon for adjustment of the side wipers relative to the end wipers, and after such setting the lever is turned to engage the cam 84 with the slider plate to press the slider plate against the base plate and so hold it in set position. The supporting bars '10 are freely slidable in the heads 1| and with the free engagement of the-pins 69 in the side wiper'holes 68, the side wipers may readily follow the movements of the end wipers during setting for last size. The bars will support the side wipers against pressure during the lasting operation. As the upright bars 12 which support the rods 10 are adjustable on the .U- frame 15, the side wiper plates may be readily adjusted vertically relative to the end wipers.

As has already been explained, turning of the hand wheel I1 will effect movement of the wiper pedestal supporting blocks I3 and I4 toward or away from each other on the supporting rods I2, and the pedestal structures 20 to 23 are shiftable laterally on the blocks I3 and I4. The mechanism for shifting the pedestals on the blocks is best shown in Figures 4 and 5. The upper legs 6 of the supporting bars 5 are each provided with a table 86 slidable thereon transversely, and each table is guided by runners 81 engaging in guideways 88 in the supporting leg or plate 6.- At its outer end, each table 86 has a vertical wall 89 through which is-threaded a number of adjusting screws 90, 9|, 92 and 93.

As shown in Figure 5, the screw is threadedto a block 94 slidable in the channel 95 in the table 86, the inner end of the block 94 being pivoted to a link 96 which at its inner end is pivoted to the outer end of a cam bar 91 having the upstanding cam rail 98 along its inner edge, the link and cam bar engaging the top surface of the table for lateral movement thereon? The screw 9I is swiveled, to a, block 99 guided in the channel I00 in the table, and this block at its inner end is pivoted to the inner end of the cam bar 91.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the wiper supporting pedestal 20 has a bar IOI extending outwardly therefrom and terminating in -a clevis I02 for receiving a cam roller I03 iournaled on a pin I04 extending through the clevis, this roller engaging the inner face of the cam bar 91. An arm I05 in the form of a plate is mounted on top of the clevis and is held in place by the head of the pin I04 which extends therethrough, the arm at its outer end supporting a cam roller I06 which engages the outer face of the cam rail 98 on the cam bar 91. At its inner end, the arm I05 has an arcuate,slot I01 (Figure 4) for receiving a pin I08 which threads into the clevis I02, the arm I05 having thus limited rotational movement on the pin I04, so that the cam rollers may accurately follow the cam surfaces of the cam bar 91 without binding.

The cam bar 91a is connected with the wiper supporting pedestal 22 and with the adjusting screws 92 and 93 by the same structure and in the same manner as that connecting the cam bar 91 with the pedestal 20 and the adjusting screws 90 and 9I. The cam bars 91b and 91c at the opposite side of the machine are associated with the wipers 2| and 23 respectively in the same manner as the cam bars 91 and 91a'are associated with the pedestal 22,

Upon outward shifting of the tables 86, their connections through the cam bars with the wiper pedestals will shift the respective pedestals for bringing the left toe and heel wiper plates farther away from the right toe and heel wiper plates, the side wiper plates following such movement on account of their interlocking engagement with the toe and heel wiper plates. The cam bars are inclined so that when the hand wheel I1 is turned for relative shift of the supporting blocks I3 and I4, the cam surface of the cam bars, cooperating with the cam rollers, will automatically effect lateral movement of the pedestals on the blocks for lateral adjustment of the Wiper plates.

Toggle means are provided for shifting the tables 86 for expansion of the wiper plate assembly for reception of the last and the upper thereon to be soled. The toggle mechanism is best shown in Figures 1, 5 and 32. The table IIO on which the machine is mounted has a yoke frame I II secured thereto through which extends 'a rod I I2 pivoted at its upper end to a cross-bar depending therefrom. Toggle links H1 and H8 extend from the lugs H4 .and II6 respectively and at their ends these links are pivoted to a transmission link I I9 pivoted to the adjacent end of the cross-bar H9.

The rod I I2 extending from the cross-bar I" is connected by linkage I20 with a treadle lever I2I pivoted intermediate its ends on a pedestal I22, the treadle lever at one end having a pedal I23 suspended therefrom-by a pivot connection I24, and at the other end of the treadle lever is the pedal I 25 suspended therefrom by a pivot connection I26, the pivotal supports of the pedals always holding the foot plates I21 of the pedals in horizontal position for convenient engagement by the operator's foot. Figures 1 and 5 show the pedal, I25 down and the bar II3 raised for closure movement of the toggle links H1 and H8, so that the tables 86 are in their inner posi. tions for closure of the wiper assembly. Upon depression of the pedal I23, thetoggles will be opened for outward shift of the tables for expansion of the wiper assembly for reception of the last and upper thereon. A spring I20 may be applied for yieldably holding the toggles in position for setting of the tables 86 in their inner positions.

The jack structure for supporting the last is best shown in Figures 3, 13 and 14. A hearing block I28 rides on the bed plate 8 and is secured to the rear pedestal supporting block I4 to move therewith, the block having the clearance passage I29 for the shaft I The jack supporting lever I30 is pivoted at its rear end on the shaft I30 supported by the block I28, the lever at its front end being straddled by a frame I3I and pivoted thereto by a pin I32, the frame having the threaded stud I33 for receiving the jack head I34. A spring I35 anchored to the frame I3I engages against the end of the lever and tends to hold the jack head in upright position but permits yield thereof so that it may readily enter the receiving hole in the jack last I36 (Figure 23).

Adjacent its pivoted end, the lever I30 has the arcuate recess I31 for receiving the cam I38 on the cam shaft I39 supported by the block I28, the cam shaft at its outer end having the lever I40 secured thereto. Between the lever and the block I28, the cam shaft carries a brake disk I4I preferably provided with ratchet teeth for engagement by a brake pawl I42 which may be held interlocked with the brake disk by a cam plate I43 having a release lever I44, the spring I45 tending to swing the cam plate to hold the pawl and brake disk interlocked. By rotation of the cam I38, the jack lever is adjusted for setting of the jack head and the last thereon in proper position relative to the wiper assembly and after setting of the jack the locking pawl I42 will hold it in set position vat the proper height.

Figure 33 shows the upper part of a press used in connection with the lasting and soleing operation particularly for pressing down the sole against the welt of the upper. The press comprises a pedestal I46 on which two hubs I41 are rotatable for adjustably supporting arms I48 whose outer ends have the pressure screws I49 carrying at their iower ends the presser heads I50. Two of the lasting machines are usually mounted side by side with the press pedestal mounted between them, so that while one of the press arms is holding down the sole on one of the machines, the operator may use the other press arm for the work in the other machine. I also provide an ironing attachment on the machine which is used for ironing and flattening out the welt portions after the upper has been clamped to the last block by the wiper assembly.

Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 4, a supporting pedestal I5I seats on top of and is secured to the rear supporting block I4, as by screws I52 (Figure 4). A supporting bracket I53 is supported by and'vertically adjustable on the pedestal I5I by screws I54. A plate I55 is rotatably mounted on top of the bracket I53 by a screw I56, a bar I51 having a hinge connection I58 with the plate I 55. Slidably mounted on the bar I51 is the carriage I59 for the ironer head to be presently described. A bracket I60 secured to the side of the bar I 51 supports an arm I6I which is pivoted at its outer end to the inner end of a lever I62 which is connected'by a link I63 with the carriage I59, so that when the lever is swung back and forth the carriage will be shifted back and forth on its supporting bar I51. When the iron is to be used, the bar I 51 is swung to extend longitudinally over the wiper structure, and when the iron is out of use, the bar I51 is swung back against a stop post I64.

Means are provided for holding the bar I51 at its front end for the ironing operation. When in this ironing operation position, the hinge connection I58 will be clear of the top of the bracket I53, and .when the ironer is not in use and the bar I51 is swung back against the stop I64, the bar I51 will lie against the top of the bracket and so be held in its horizonal position.

The mechanism for supporting the ironer bar in its operating position is best shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 8 and 23. An L-shaped support I65 is secured to the front wiper pedestal supporting block I3 and extends upwardly in front of the 3 wiper assembly (Figure 3). A cross-plate I66 is secured to the upper end of the post, this crossplate receiving the base I61 of a post I68, the base having elongated slots I69 for receiving the screws I10 threading into the cross-plate I66 so that the base I61 with the post thereon may be adjusted laterally, the cross-plate and the base I61 preferably having tongue and groove connection, as indicated at I". Surrounding the post I68 is a sleeve I12 at the rear part of which and at the top thereof is a cross-bar I13 having the rectangular recess I14. Against the front of the sleeve is secured a plate I15 at whose ends are pivoted the latch levers I 16 by pins I11, the levers bearing against the rear side of the plate I15. At their upper ends and on their inner sides the levers have beveled latch hooks I18 and at their lower ends the levers have forward extensions I19 serving as abutments for the hooks so that the levers may be swung to spread their upper ends apart, a spring I connecting the levers above their pivot points and tending to hold them in normal position.

When the ironer is to be used, its supporting bar I 51 is swung forwardly and its front end swung down past the hook ends of the latch levers I16 and into the recess I14 of the bar I13, the spring I80 then returning the latch levers so that the hook ends will hold the bar in position, the hinge connection I58 permitting vertical 'movement of the bar necessary for seating it on the supporting bar I13. When the bar is thus positioned, the carriage I59 with the ironing head thereon may be shifted back and forth along the bar by means of the lever I62 for application of the ironing head to the work. The application of the ironing head I is shown in Figure 23. In order that the ironing head may accurately engage with the welt portions of an upper, the supporting base I61 for the plate I13 which supports the front end of the ironer head supporting bar I51 is made laterally adjustable by means of the screw and slot connections I10 and I69 of the base with the supporting plate I66 as has already been explained. In order that such lateral adjustment may not bind the bar in the supporting plate I13, the sleeve I12 which supports this plate is rotatably adjustable on the post I68, a set screw I8I being provided to secure the sleeve after adjustment.

Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 23, the support I65 has a vertical slot I82 for a block I83 from whose upper end a shelf I84 extends inwardly to receive and support the toe end of the upper on the last block during the ironing, pressing or other pressure engagement with'the last so as to prevent displacement thereof from the wiper assembly, the shelf being preferably provided with a pad I85 so that the upper material will not be damaged (see also Figure 35).

For adjusting the supporting block I83 for the shelf I84, a lever I88 is provided which is pivoted as by a screw I81 on a bracket'I88 extending laterally from the support I85 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). At its inner end, the lever is connected by a link I89 with the block I 83 so that when the lever is rotated the block I 83 is moved vertically for adjustment of the shelf I84. In order to lock the block I83 in adjusted position, a clamping block I90 is pivoted by a pin I92 to the lever for friction cooperation at its inner end with the surface I93 of the outer end of the bracket I88, the curvature of this surface being eccentric relative to the path of movement of the pin I92. The member I90 is provided with a handle I94 between which and the lever is interposed a spring I95 (Figure 1) which tends to swing the the cam member I90 in clockwise direction to release the pressure of the cam against the cam surface so that the shelf may be withdrawn, and readily raised back to-its supporting position to be then locked when the handle is released.

Cooperable with the last supporting shelf I84 and the last jack I34 for properly aligning the upper last relative to the wiper assembly, are presser levers I98. These levers are pivoted in brackets I 91 secured to and having swivel connection with the toe wiper plates 28 and 29 (Figures 2 and 17). The levers at their inner ends have knobs or lugs I98 adapted for engagement with the last when the levers are swimg laterally so that when the front ends of the levers are raised, pressure will be exerted against the last for properly seating it on the shelf I84.

When the levers are swung to bring their inner ends over the last, the outer ends of the levers enter the C-shaped stops 200,'and then when the outer ends are raised to bring the inner ends against the last,. the stops will hold the levers against further vertical swing when the last has been pressed down to properly seat on the adjusted shelf- I84. After such adjustment of the last, the levers, when released, will be swung to their normal position by, the springs I99.

Describing now the ironing head and its adjustment, this is best shown on Figures 1, 9 to 12 and 23. The head is supported on the lower end of a. vertical bar 20I slidable through a U-shaped bushing 202 secured in the carriage I59 which is mounted on the supporting bar I51, the bushing being locked in position by a set screw 203. The carriage block I59 has the wall 204 extending upwardly therefrorn alongside of the ironer supporter bar 202 and at its upper end has the lateral part 205 threaded to receive an. abutment sleeve 208 through which extends the stem 201 on the upper end of the bar 20I. A collar 208 is adjustably secured to the pin 201 as by a set screw 209, Figure 9, this collar forming the abutment for one end of the spring 2I0, whose other abutment is the sleeve 208, the spring tending to shift the bar 20I downwardly.

a slot 2" in the wall 204 is an arm 2I2 terminating in an abutment head 2I3 for a cam 2I4 rotatable on the pin 2I5 extending from the wall 204, the cam being providedwith the operating handle or lever H8. The setting of the cam determines the distance that the ironing head I may move downwardly, but the head is yieldably movable upwardly against the resistance of the spring 2I0, this resistance and consequently the pressure of the ironing head against the work being adjustable by means of the sleeve 208. The ironing head I comprises an upper or body plate 211 and a lower or ironing plate 2I8. Mounted on the body plate are two spaced apart L-brackets ,220, the brackets being secured by screws 22I which extend through the body plate and have threaded engagement in the ironing plate, so as to secure the brackets and at the same time de; tachably secure together the body and ironing plates. The brackets support a pin 222 for receiving the tongues 223 extending from the lower end of the supporting rod 20I and engaged between the brackets 2I9 and 220, the ironing head being thus adapted for swing in a vertical plane. The ironing surfaces on the under side of the ironing plate incline upwardly gradually from the transverse center line of the plate, so that the ironing head may partake of a rocking movement during the ironing operation.

In its bottom, the ironing plate 2I8 has a longitudinally extending recess 224 in which a plate 225 is slidable and which has a longitudinally extending guide and actuating tongue 228 extending upwardly therefrom for engagement in the guldeway 221 communicating with the recess 224. The plate and its tongue are held in place by screws 228 engaging through the longitudinal slots 229 in.the plate and threaded into the ironing plate. At its front end, the plate 225 has a tongue 230 which is normally projected a distance beyond the front end of the ironing base 2I8', the tongue being rounded at its outer end to conform to the rounding of the front end of the ironing base, as shown in Figure 11.

The body 2" and base 2 I8 of the ironing head are cut away at their rear ends to leave a transverse passageway 23I into which extends a post 232 secured to-the tongue 226, a cross-bar 233 extending through the passageway 23I receiving the post. Secured against and across the front of the body 2" is a cross-bar 234. The ends of the cross bars are connected by tension springs 235 which tends to hold the bar 233 forwardly.

with the plate 225 abutting the front end of the recess '225 and with the tongue 230 projected as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The purpose of the tongue 230 is to abut against the heel of an upper to hold the heel in proper position and condition preparatory to ironing of the heel welt portion by the front end of the ironing base, as indicated in Figure 23. When the ironing head is shifted rearwardly, the tongue 230 encounters the heel portion of the upper at the base of the welt portion and as the ironing base continues to effect the ironing of the welt portion, the spring 235 will hold the tongue with pressure engagement against the upper. As the ironing head is withdrawn from the heel portion, the tongue 230 will continue to hold the heel in place until the tongue has again reached its outermost position.

, The ends of the plate 225 and the tongue 228 Extending l e y from the collar 20; through base when the plate 225 and the tongue 230 thereon are shifted inwardly during the ironing operation. 4

For heating the ironing head, a boss 238 thereon may have a bore 239 for receiving an electrical heating coil (not shown).

Figures 23 to 26 illustrate the application of a sole to an upper U, of which the marginal portion 240 forms the sole receiving welt, this welt portion being usually defined by creasing the upper to define the bending line for forming the welt. The wiper assembly is primarily fully expanded by depressing the footpedal I23 to open the toggles for outward movement of the tables 86 to spread the wipers laterally, and by turning the hand wheel I1, the wipers are spread longitudinally. The last with the upper thereon is then applied to the Jack head I34 and the pedal I25 is depressed for closure of the toggles and movement of the tables 86 to their inner position for primary closure of the wiper plates. By adjustment of the jack mechanism, the heel part is aligned, and by adjustment of the shelf I84, the toe part is aligned relative to the wipers, the presser levers I96 being used, if necessary.

After proper alignment has been effected, the hand wheel I! is turned for final setting of the wiper assembly, longitudinal movement of the toe and heel wipers toward each other being accompanied by transverse movement of these wipers toward each other under the action of the cam bars 81, 81a, 91b and 910, the side wipers automatically following on account of their camming interlock with the toe and heel wipers. As the wiper assembly is finally contracted, the wiper edges engage the upper along the base of the welt portion 240 and the upper is intimately drawn to the last around its corners.

Provision should be made for preventing slipping of the heel portion upwardly on the last block when the wiper assembly is contracted. Heretofore the heel part was tacked to the last block to hold it against slipping. I have provided improved means which will eliminate tacking but which will efliciently hold the heel against any creeping or slipping during the wiping operation. Referring to Figures 3 and 23, a block 24I of friction material, such as rubber, is supported to be pressed against the heel of the upper to hold it securely against the last block against slipping. In the arrangement shown, the pedestal I5I has at its upper end the threaded passageway 300 for a screw 30I. The block MI is secured in a U-frame 302 having a shank 303 extending therefrom into the inner end of the passageway 300, the stem 304 extending from the shank through the bore 305 of the screw. A key 308, engaging the shank 303, prevents it from turning. The screw 30I abuts at its inner end against the shoulder between the shank and the stem, and at its outer end abuts a nut 30! on the stem. With this arrangement, when the screw is turned in clockwise direction, the shank is shifted inwardly for setting of the friction block I against the upper, while when the screw is turned in the opposite direction, the block will be released from the upper. With this friction block clamping against the heel of the upper, the heel portion will be held against slipping on the last block when the wiper assembly is contracted.

After the lasting operation, the ironer supporting frame I51 is swung to operative position with its front end resting on the supporting plate I I3 to which it is locked by the latch hooks I16. The lever I82 is then operated to shift the ironing head back and forth along the welt portion which preferably has been moistened sufilciently, the

pressure and heat of the ironing head then fiattening and smoothing the welt portion down against the wiper plates. Before the ironing base reaches the heel part of the welt, the tongue 230 on the ironing head abuts the heel of the upper adjacent the heel welt portion and presses it against the heel wiper edges while the ironing head continues to iron the heel welt portion, this engagement of the tongue 230 with the upper preventing the formation of kinks or creases in the heel corner. As has been explained, the ironer support may be adjusted vertically and laterally so that the ironing head may accurately follow the welt portion to be ironed, the spring 2I0 (Figure 9) supplying the necessary ironing pressure and the tiltable support of the ironing head will enable its inclined ironing surfaces to accurately engage with the welt portion.

After the ironing operation, the ironing structure is swung back to its rest position and a sole 242 is applied to the welt portion and secured preferably by cementing under pressure. As shown in Figure 20, one arm of the press shown in Figure 33 is utilized, a presser block 243 having a yieldable facing 244, preferably of rubber, being applied between the press foot I50 and the sole.

Figures 2'7 to 31 illustrate how a pre-welted upper is soled. Figure 27 shows the welt strip 245 sewn around the upper, the upper being on the last I36. An expander tool such as shown in Figures 30, 31 and 32 is then used to swing or expand the welt strip into horizontal position particularly along the sides and. the heel. The expander comprises a body in the form of a plate 246 having a rear cross bar 241 adjustable lengthwise on the body below a retainer strip 248, the bar terminating at its ends in upwardly extending loops having their lower ends 250 deflected inwardly a short distance below the body, as best shown in Figure 32. A front cross plate 25I is held to the-body by a screw 252 and at its ends has loops 253 terminating in inwardly deflected ends 254. As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the ends 250 and 254 are extended longitudinally relative to the body 246 so as to give more extensive surface for engagement with the edge and under side of the welt strip 245. At its heel end the plate 246 has a narrowed extension 255 inclined slightly upwardly, the extension being provided with a slit 256 for receiving the welt strip, the bottom of the extension below the slit having a substantially horizontal under surface and terminating in a point. The expander is applied by drawing its heel end forwardly to receive the heel portion of the welt strip and to raise it as shown in Figure 30, the clamping loops 249 being thus spread and their ends 250 and 254 applied under the weltstrip so as to raise the strip along the sides of the upper. V

The last with the upper thereon and with the welt held expanded by the expander is then placed In the expanded wiper assembly of the machine and the toggle is operated for closure of the wiper assembly, the ends 250 and 254 of the clamps being thin so that the side wipers may pass thereunder, the heel wipers then engaging under the extension 255 of the plate, as shown in Figure 30. The toe end of the welt has been partially raised by the expander clamps 254 and will readily flatten 'out when the last is applied to the wiper assembly. The wiper plates will now hold the welt spread so that the expander may be removed, and then after final adjustment of the wiper assembly, the hand wheel I! is turned for final closure of the wiper assembly and the welt will be lying flat on top of the wipers. If necessary, the ironing tool may now be applied for ironing and flattening the welt.

As shown in Figure 28, an'insole 258 may be inserted before the outer sole 259 is applied. This outer sole may be secured to the welt and to the insole as by means of suitable cement.

As shown in Figure 29, a heel filler 260 may be inserted and secured under the heel of the outer sole.

Figures 34, 35 and 36 show an attachment for holding down the welt, particularly when the welt extends only along the sides and toe of the upper, and where a channeled insole is used and the heel of the upper is drawn around and tacked to the insole. The arrangement is shown in Figure 34, 26l indicating the welt extending around the sides and toe, 262 indicating the insole which is temporarily tacked to the last, and 263 indicating the upper heel deflected around and tacked to the insole. The insole has the channel or undercutting 264 through which the insole is to be sewn to the welt.

Theattachment is applied to the rods 10 which by their pins 69 engage with the side wipers of the wiper assembly. The attachment comprises a base 265 secured on the rods 10 as by means of screws 266, the bases having recesses 261 so that they may straddle the supporting heads 1| in which the rods 10 are slidable for adjustment of the side wipers.

Each plate has the upstanding side walls 268 and 269 between which extends the supporting bar 218. The bar is slidable longitudinally between the walls and fulcrumed at its rear lower corner on the base 265, the spring 2" tending to swing the bar upwardly. A cross-wall 212 spans the walls 268 and 269 at the rear end' and is detachably secured thereto, the'wall having the clearance slot 213 in its lower side for the bar 210. The forward shift of the bar is limited by a set screw 214 thereon which abuts the cross-wall 212. At their inner ends the walls 268 and 269 have the upward extensions 215 receiving the pin 216 for a cam 211 having the operating handle 218. The cam has the flat side 219 engaged by the bar 216 when in its upper position, and when the cam is rotated, it will depress the bar, as shown in Figure 36.

At its inner end, each bar 210 receives a head 280 pivoted thereto as by a pin or screw 28I so that the head may swing in a horizontal plane.

ture and the toggle is then operated for primarily contracting the wiper assembly. The bar 216 and the holding attachments arethen shifted longitudinally and the heads 280 are swung to bring the rows of pins 288 into alignment with the welt at opposite sides of the last and the pins are then adjusted vertically for application of their points to the welt. The cams 211 are then swung down to depress the bars 210 and to project the pin points into the welt and hold the welt securely against the wiper assembly. The hand wheel I1 is then turned for flnal contraction of the wiper assembly, so that the upper portion with the welt thereon is stretched around the last in proper position relative to the insole 262. After the lasting operation, the holders are released and withdrawn so that the tacks or nails 285 may then be driven through the deflected over upper portion and into the insole to hold the upper and welt for the stitching operation when the last is removed from the machine, the stitching being through the insole undercut 264 and the welt in a manner well understood in the art.

To maintain the setting of the pin supporting heads 280 ready for the next last assembly, pins 286 extend outwardly from'the head 280 and have collars 281 detachably secured thereon by set screws 288, the collars having abutment posts 289 depending therefrom for engagement with the outer edges of the wiper assembly. After the heads and pins have been set, the collars 281 are set on the pins 286 with the posts abutting the wiper edges, so that the adjustment and setting is maintained for the size of shoe to be worked on in the machine.

Referring to Figure 4, pointers 290 may be mounted on the tables 86 for cooperating with scale marks on the various cam blocks 91 which control the automatic setting of the wiper plates. The scale may indicate difi'erent widths of shoes which are to be lasted and soled, and by the scale setting of the cam bars, the desired arrangement of the wiper plates will be accomplished.

Wiper plates of different longitudinal curvatures may be used, depending upon the shape of the shoe desired, but all of the wiper plates will be accurately held in place by virtue of the concentric concave and convex surfaces on the plates and their supporting pins and securing screws 31 (Figure 16). Whatever the curvature or inclination of the wiper plates may be, the screws 31 will lock the plates rigidly in set position without any jamming thereof and so that the wiper plates may move relatively freely at their tongue and groove interlocking connections.

I have shown a practical and emcient embodiment of the various features of my invention, but I do not desire to be limited to the exact structures, arrangements and operation shown and described as changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim as follows:

1. In a lasting machine, a pair of heel wipers,

said channels.

2. In a lasting machine, a pair of heelwipers, a pair of toe wipers, a pair of side wipers carried at their ends on wipers of the other pairs and having cam channels near their ends, tongues extending from the heel and toe wipers into said channels, and retainer plates for holding said tongues in said channels.

3. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising a pair of toe wipers, a pair of heel wipers, a pair of side wipers, said side wipers having cam channels at their ends, tongues on the heel and toe wipers engaging in said channels, and retainer plates secured to said side wipers for retaining engagement of said tongues in said channels.

-4. In a lasting machine, a pair of toe wipers, a pair of heel wipers, a pair of side wipers underlying said toe and heel wipers, said side wipers at their ends having cam grooves and said toe and heel wipers having tongues for receiving the respective grooves of the side wipers, and retainer plates for retaining the respective tongues in their grooves.

5. In a lasting machine,'a base structure, supporting blocks movable longitudinally on said base structure toward and from each other, wiper pedestals shiftable on said supporting blocks transversely of said base structure, a set of toe wipers and a set of heel wipers mounted on said pedestals, a cam rail adjacent to each pedestal, said cam rails being adjustably mounted on said base structure, a cam roller frame secured to each pedestal, a cam roller in each frame engaging the inner side of the associated cam rail and an arm pivoted to each frame and supporting a cam roller engaging the outer side of the associatedcam rail, said cam rails functioning to cause transverse relative movement of the toe and heel wiper supporting pedestals upon relative longitudinal movement thereof.

6. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising a pair of toe wipers, a pair of heel wipers, and a pair of side wipers underlying said toe and heel wipers, channel and tongue connections between said side wipers and the toe and heel wipers functioning to cause only transverse movement of the side wipers upon relative longitudinal movement of the toe and heel wipers, and thin flexible retainer plates overlying said wiper assembly and secured to said side wipers for operatively maintaining said channel and tongue connections.

7. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising a pair of toe wipers, a pair of heel wipers, and a pair of side wipers, said side wipers having cam channels at their ends, tongues on the heel and toe wipers engaging in said channels, and retainer plates secured to said side wipers for retaining engagement of said tongues in said channels, said channels gradually increasing in width inwardly whereby to prevent binding when the wiper assembly is contracted and expanded.

8. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising toe and heel wipers and means for contracting said assembly for lasting of an upper to a last block in the assembly, a heel jack for the last block and a toe rest therefor, and manually operable levers fulcrumed on said wiper assem-- bly for lateral movement forengagement of their inner ends with the bottom of the last block and for vertical movement for forcing the last block against said jack and said toe rest whereby to align the last block relative to said wiper assembly for accurate wiping of the upper around the last block.

9. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising toe and heel wipers and means for contracting said assembly for lasting an upper to a last block in the assembly, a vertically adjustable toe support, manually operable levers fulcrumed intermediate their ends-on said toe wipers for lateral movement for engagement of their inner ends with the bottom of the last block and for vertical movement for forcing the last block against said toe support whereby to align the last block relative to said toe support for accurate wiping of the toe part of the upper.

10. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising toe and heel wipers and means for contracting said assembly for lasting of an upper to a last block in the assembly, adjustable heel and toe supports for the last block, and levers fulcrumed on said wiper assembly and independently operable to apply pressure against the bottom of the last block for accurately seating the block on said supports preparatory to the wiping of the upper around the block.

11. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising toe and heel wipers and means for contractlng said assembly for lasting of an upper to a last block in the assembly, an adjustable toe rest, and levers fulcrumed on said toe wipers and independently manually operable to apply pressure against the bottom of the toe of the last a block for accurately seating the block and the upper thereon on said toe rest preparatory to the wiping of the upper around the block.

12. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly for lasting uppers, a supporting structure extending longitudinally above the wiper assembly, a carriage on said supporting structure and a heated ironing head suspended therefrom, and means for reciprocating said carriage longitudinally along said supporting structure throughout the length of the wiper assembly for engagement of the ironing head with the marginal portion of an upper wiped to a last block by said wiper assembly.

13. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising toe wipers and heel wipers, a supporting structure for the toe wipers and a supporting structure for the heel wipers and means for adjusting said supporting structures toward or away from each other, a support movable with the supporting structure for the heel wipers, an arm on said support adapted to be extended above said wiper supporting structures, a carriage on said arm and an ironing head suspended therefrom, and means for shifting said carriage longitudinally along said arm for engagement of said ironing head with the marginal portion of an upper lasted by said wiper assembly.

14. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly com prising toe wipers and heel wipers, a supporting structure for the toe wipers and a supporting structure for the heel wipers and means for adjusting said supporting structures toward or away from each other, a support movable with the supporting structure for the heel wipers, an arm on said support adapted to be extended above said wiper supporting structures, a carriage on said arm and an ironing head suspended therefrom, means for shifting said carriage longitudinally along said arm for engagement of said ironing head with the marginal portion of an upper lasted by said wiper assembly, and a rest for said arm on the toe wiper supporting structure, said rest being adjustable to define the path of movement of said ironing head.

15. In a lasting machine, a wiper assembly comprising toe wipers and heel wipers, means for effecting longitudinal and transverse expansion and contraction of said wiper assembly, and a heel block independent of said wiper assembly mounted to follow the longitudinal movement of said wiper assembly for engaging with the heel of an upper to be lasted to hold the heel of the upper against slipping up on the last block during the wiping operation.

16. In a lasting machine, supporting blocks movable longitudinally of the machine toward and away from each other, pedestals shiftable on said blocks transversely of the machine and sup porting toe and heel wipers, and a heel block mounted on the supporting block for the heel wiper pedestals independently of the heel wipers to follow the movements of said block and to engage the heel of an upper to prevent upward slipping thereof on the last during the wiping operation. a

17. In a lasting machine for lasting welted uppers against an insole, a wiper assembly comprising toe and heel wiper and side wiper structures movable by and with the toe and heel wipers, holding means mounted on said side wiper structures and each comprising a row of adjustable 

